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Obama administration proposes record $200 million to GAVI Alliance

The GAVI Alliance announced on Tuesday that the Obama administration requested a record $200 million in its fiscal year 2015 budget to support GAVI in protecting people's health and saving children's lives.

The proposal represents the largest amount the U.S. ever requested for the alliance. GAVI said the request demonstrates leadership by the U.S. in ending vaccine-preventable deaths in developing countries. The funding proposal comes as GAVI prepares to outline how donor investments will help the alliance reach millions more children between 2016 and 2020.

"This strong support from the Obama administration for our mission to protect the lives of children is greatly appreciated," Seth Berkley, the CEO of the GAVI Alliance, said. "It is a tragedy that every 20 seconds a child dies from a disease that could have been prevented by a vaccine. The GAVI Alliance, with the support of our donors, is working hard to accelerate efforts to reach children with vital vaccines no matter where they live."

Since 2000, with support from its donors, GAVI helped save approximately six million lives by immunizing an additional 440 million children. The U.S. has contributed more than $1.2 billion to immunization through GAVI since 2000.

"Bold new donor commitments will enable the GAVI Alliance to accelerate progress towards reaching the 22 million children who do not complete a course of even the most basic vaccines each year." Berkley said. "We look forward to working with Congress to ensure this level of funding for the Alliance, as well as strong funding for all maternal and child health programs